A miniaturized optical disc memory is receivable in a slot, of about 17 mm
height, normally accommodating a floppy disc drive. A base includes a base
plate with integral, peripheral sidewalls and an internal lateral
partition wall which define a cartridge receiving slot on the upper
surface of the base plate. First and second support plates extend from the
partition wall to the rear peripheral sidewall of the base and define
respective, first and second upper mounting surfaces and lower first and
second cavities respectively receiving an ejection motor and a fixed
optical system, individual optical components being mounted and aligned on
integral, precision machined blocks in the second cavity for transmitting
a laser beam and receiving a reflected beam along a central, longitudinal
optical axis beneath the base plate. A first base plate aperture
accommodates a lens carriage driven in reciprocating motion along the axis
for receiving and redirecting the laser beam vertically for scanning an
optical disc and receiving a reflected beam and redirecting same to the
fixed optical system. The movable optical system is locked in a rest
position and is released by insertion of a cartridge to permit scanning
movement thereof. A disc drive unit is mounted beneath the base plate for
reciprocating vertical movement through a second aperture therein to a
raised position for engaging and driving, in rotation, an optical disc of
a cartridge inserted into the apparatus and to a lowered position for
releasing the cartridge and permitting ejection thereof.